Everyone Wants to Have It

(1999) In this day age, and in a world where almost everything seems possible, or at least imaginable, one thing is still extremely hard to obtain -- success.

What is success? Is it a nice home, a fast car, loads of money, tons of friends, popularity in the community, having "connections", or status quo? For some, that is their definition of success. For the over-achievers I know, those things are only by products of true success, true achievement and true servanthood. Real success comes not in material possessions, but in intangible characteristics like honesty, respect, endurance, optimism, faith in God, giving and compassion for others.

True success is taking the punches, getting knocked down, only to get back up, over and over and over again, until the punches can be waved away and victory is attained.

Someone once said, "A man standing on top of a mountain didn't just fall there. He climbed, and climbed, slipped, and sometimes nearly fell. But one day the top was suddenly his to claim!"
Another said, "A boxer doesn't lose a fight because he gets knocked down, he loses the fight because he doesn't get back up."

Yes, success is hard. Whether it be success in school, work, a career, business, a ministry, with your kids, athletics or in some personal goal, it is not easily attained, and never will be. It requires a major price tag. For some it may cost everything you have, for others it may mean loss of sleep, muscle pain, financial cutbacks or late hours at the coffee shop cramming for that final. Whatever the cost, there will be one. I know one man who understood this basic principle. He called his home business "W.I.T." for "Whatever it takes". He saw the price tag and was willing to pay it.

Striving for success is a long road. A road full of pot-holes, curves, and seemingly deadends. Yet the weary find their rest by continuing through the struggles till the end is reached. It's something only a few are willing to try, and only a handful finish.

In the times of fear and doubt, remember who you are what you were created to be. Tim Storey once said, "I have always believed God gets more glory out of you being a success story than out of you being a failure!" God didn't call you to fail, but He will call you to prevail. In Him only, will you find the strength to make it. In Him only, will you find the resources you need to finish what He has started. In Him only, will your pathways be made straight and narrow and in Him only, will you find the will to carry on.

So hold on to your dreams, never give up and tell yourself and the world who mocks you, "With God on my side, it is possible and I will win!"

“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this” Pslam 37:3-6

© 1999, J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."

Gruntin', Tootin', and Sleepin'

(2005) Gruntin', Tootin', and Sleepin'….what a life. And for me this happens everyday. To most men, this may sound like a description of some place just outside of heaven; a place where you can lay back, let your hair down and let it all out.

But, I'm not talking about some men's getaway fantasy island. No, the place where these events are as common as a democratic fraction speaking out against a conservative movement is my own home. Home sweet home has become a place of sounds and activity only a true man could respect and admire.

All thanks to Sidney and Chloe, my ten week old, twin daughters.

I've never heard such commotion from such little girls. I never knew they had it in them…and boy do they! Whew. Let me tell you. Just when you can't nearly handle anymore grunting, wiggling or crying, they let a toot sneak out and it'll run they strongest of noses out of the room. Even our Boxer, Sam, who has his own terrible variation of such things, leaves the room. It's bad. Real bad.

What a life. To be able so sleep 20 hours of the day, eat every 2 to 3 hours, stretch and grunt for 20 minutes after waking and toot all at the same time. How is it that we go from such simplicity, to such overbearing complexity as adults?

I long for the day when life is simply about living. Sure, life for us as adults is about raising a family, seeking God, paying our taxes, being a friend, some entertainment, education, and career. But won't it be great when all that we have set out to accomplish in life becomes meaningless and life itself returns to form? Finally, we will be able to relax, take a deep breath and thank God for making such a place. I'm not sure that gruntin', tootin' and sleepin' is what we will really do when we step into eternity, but if it's the next best thing to Heaven, I can't imagine just all that God has in store for us when we get there.

My girls have it made, at least for now. Life here waits for them someday. For now, I plan to help them enjoy every minute of life as they know it now. Let's be honest….I can grunt, toot and sleep with the best of them.

The house is gonna be quiet the next few days. Julie is taking the girls to Tyler this weekend; another short road trip to see Grammy and Papa Jack. I have to work, so I'll maintain the fort here at home. It just won't be the same. It'll be up to me and the dogs to fill in for the gruntin', tootin', sleepin' machines.

We're gonna miss them, but I think we will manage just fine.


"Jesus called a small child over to him and put the child among them. Then he said, 'I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.'" Matthew 18-2-5


© 2005, J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."